Benefits of working and living in Germany

Before you decide to go abroad for work, have a closer look at other factors than salary, climate, and culture in the target country. Check out also other important aspects for your long-term well-being or your future financial situation like the ones below. The benefits of working and living in Germany:

1. Medical system. The german system offers one of the best levels of health care on the globe. Most modern technologies to diagnose and cure are available. The healthcare system is accessible to everyone due to every citizen having a basic insurance, deducted with almost 15% from the gross salary. Half of this insurance, thus circa 7.5% is paid by the employee, half by the employer. The number of hospitals and medical centers, where doctors offer their specialized skills like urology or dental health, and GP's (Hausarzt) is endless. As is the number of qualified pharmacies. The state hospitals and private hospitals are accessible to everyone with a public health care insurance

2. Pension accrual. Germany has one of the best public pension systems in the world. Everyone who has worked at least 45 years, or reaches the age of 67, is pensioned and receives a "Rente" (pension) which is in most cases at least half of your former labour income. If you have entered the german labour market e.g. with 35 years, you aren't eligible to a full pension anymore (based on 45 years of working/studying), though working until 67 in Germany means you can still accrue a very good pension over the remaining 32 years. This pension is paid montly by the state pension fund until end of life. You can even choose to live e.g. in Africa after your pension has started and use the money there. Additionally many employees save some further private pension money every month through a private pension programme of their employer.

3. School fees. For employees going abroad, having children and planning family reunification in Germany after e.g. 6 months it's good to know a bit more about benefits of the German school system. First of all Gemany has a solid school system wich ranks globally in the upper 25% range of the international PISA survey. Almost everyone, whether rich or poor, visits public non-denominational or christian primary schools (Grundschule) and secondary schools (weiterführende Schule). Boarding schools hardly exist, as do private schools, which are very costly and for the very privileged only. So virtually everyone goes to schools that are FREE OF CHARGE (apart of some charges for books and class outings). The class sizes are around 30 people, also very okay. The taxes paid in Germany cater for this school system and allow everyone access to it. So you will be lucky to save vast on school fees.

4. Vocational education system. This typical german dual learn/work system for vocational education is worldwide unique. Dual means it has always a company for which the employee - called "Auszubildende(r)" (apprentice) - works 2-3 days per week and the remaining days one goes to school for the theorical skills needed for the profession. The duration is 3 or 4 years. Its therefor important to understand this system when you plan to enter the german vocational labour market. The goal is to get your qualification within 1 to 2 years aligned with this system of Ausbildungen. Learn more about it in the video below. Despite being top notch the dual system produces currently unsufficient hands-on workers, which is the reason that skilled workers from Kenya, Zambia and other African countries now have a chance to get a work permit in Germany.

5. Safety and Developed Transport Systems. The country is very safe, the government is reliable (though bureaucratic), and nobody asks for appreciation money. Public transport gets you anywhere. There is even a monthly flat rate for nationwide regional public transport at less than 60 EUR (2025). The high-speed ICE trains that run between 200 and 300 km/h come at an extra cost. But hey, it's worth it on the longer distances. Germany, from north to south, is 900 km long, and at its widest, it's 450 km from the western to the eastern border. Last but not least: we don't talk about the weather... many months of cold weather and snow between November and April may be nice after coming from a hot region, but five months can also be long. So all in all, what do you think?